Senior Full-Stack Developer - Next.js

⚠️ Please note: While this position is officially marked as Hybrid with location in Slovenia and Serbia the work is fully remote. This is to ensure we’re connecting with the right talent in our region — applications from outside the Balkan region unfortunately, cannot be considered.We’re building Embrin, a next-generation newsletter studio on ArcXP—born at The Washington Post and used by leading media brands. At d.labs, we’ve partnered with top publishers for years; now we’re turning that expertise into a global product.We’re hiring a builder with founder-like DNA who wants fingerprints across architecture and UX. From day one you’ll shape Embrin’s direction, technical architecture, and roadmap with the CEO and Embrin’s CTO—your voice will meaningfully influence how we solve problems and scale.You’ll work at the intersection of d.labs’ product craft, ArcXP’s platform scale, and The Washington Post’s innovation network, plugged into a global community of world-class publishers and technologists. You’ll collaborate directly with senior architects, designers, and product leaders who’ve scaled fintech, SaaS, and publishing platforms. It’s the sweet spot: early-stage autonomy and impact with the backing and credibility of a proven venture studio.What you'll be doing 🛠️Own features end-to-end: From requirements gathering → architecture design → implementation → deploymentDesign before building: Create system diagrams, database schemas, and API specifications. Present trade-offs and get alignment before codingBuild production-ready solutions: Not prototypes. Security, performance, error handling, observability from day oneMake architectural decisions: Choose the right tools, design clean abstractions, establish patterns others will followWork autonomously within guardrails: Weekly syncs with CEO/CTO for strategic alignment, but daily execution is yours to ownShip iteratively: Small, frequent releases with tight feedback loops from real usersCollaborate asynchronously: Clear written communication, thorough PR descriptions, documentation that doesn't need verbal explanationWhat we're looking for 👨 💻Must-haves:5+ years full-stack development, with Next.js expertiseProduction PostgreSQL experience: complex queries, indexing strategies, migration managementProven ability to architect full features independently—from data model to deployment—with clear documentation (diagrams, ADRs, technical specs)Product-minded engineering: you understand user workflows, can translate requirements into technical solutions, and build functional UIs with shadcn/ui and modern React patternsSecurity-first mindset: authentication, authorization, input validation, secure API designBonus:Supabase experience: RLS policies, complex auth flowsAWS experience (Lambda, RDS, CloudFront, S3)Background in media/publishing tech or content management systemsWorking style we need:You proactively ask clarifying questions when specs are ambiguousYou create diagrams and technical proposals before codingYou're comfortable presenting technical trade-offs to non-technical stakeholdersYou are an AI first developer - You know how to use AI tools (Copilot, Claude, etc.) to accelerate development without compromising qualityStrong written English communication—you'll be documenting decisions and explaining technical concepts regularlyYou’ll thrive here if…You like sketching solutions first (diagrams, trade-offs) and then building.You enjoy making technical calls—and explaining the “why” clearly.You’re energized by setting patterns, not just following them.You’re happy working truly full-stack, from schema to UI.You prefer tight, senior teams where ownership is real.Why you’ll enjoy working at d.labs 💜You’ll help shape Embrin from the ground up—your voice will influence product direction, technical architecture, and roadmap alongside the CEO and Embrin’s CTO.You’ll work at the intersection of d.labs’ product craft, ArcXP’s platform scale, and The Washington Post’s innovation network—exposure to world-class publishers and technologists.You’ll collaborate closely with senior architects, designers, and product leaders who’ve built and scaled platforms across fintech, SaaS, and publishing—and they’ll challenge you to do your best work.You’ll have true ownership: leave your fingerprints across the stack, from system design to user experience, in a product with global reach.We are remote-first across the CET time zone (10+ locations) and offer flexible working hours so you can organize your day for focus and good work–life balance.Our teams are cross-functional and dedicated to one project at a time (developers, PMs, QA, DevOps, designers) for fast learning and tight collaboration.We’re proud of our teamwork and genuinely enjoy working with one another.Senior experts and managers will mentor you and support your growth.We offer fair pay and clear career development opportunities, including regular monthly 1-on-1s with your manager.If you’re in Slovenia, our offices in Ljubljana and Maribor are open to you—work from home or the office, your choice.Our strong People team focuses on well-being, connectedness, and development.We love to get together so we have multiple team buildings per year, summer off-site, the New Year’s party, etc.